Council to vote on worker bonuses

May 29, 2008|NANCY J. SULOK Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- The idea of giving bonuses to many county employees got a lukewarm reception this week from a St. Joseph County Council committee. Budget and Administration Committee members voted Tuesday to send a bonus ordinance to the full council without recommendation. The full council will consider it at its June 10 meeting. County Commissioner Mark Dobson, R-1st, said he was disappointed that the council did not embrace the idea more enthusiastically. Council members are concerned about giving bonuses when the county is facing millions of dollars of budget cuts over the next two years. Dobson and county Auditor Peter Mullen, along with Commissioner Steve Ross, D-2nd, have been promoting the idea of bonuses for several months, ever since the county received an unexpected payment of tax revenues that were due from the state since 2005. The thought behind the bonuses is that they would help make up for the fact that many county employees have not received a pay raise for at least four years. Giving bonuses instead of raises does not obligate the cash-strapped county to an ongoing expense in future years. Dobson's original proposal suggested the raises could cost the county as much as $750,000. However, after looking at who would be eligible and crunching the numbers, Mullen concluded the bonuses would amount to only about $400,000. The amount of the individual bonuses would depend on a worker's current pay level and length of service. Employees with the smallest salaries, defined as $22,000 or less, would receive $250 if they have worked at least one year but not more than two. Two-year employees would receive $500; three-year employees, $750; and four or more years, $1,000. Workers who make from $22,001 to $35,000 would get $125 if they have worked at least a year; $250 for two years of service; $375 for three years; and $500 for four or more. Those who make more than $35,000 would get $62.50 if they have worked at least a year; $125 for two years of service; $187.50 for three years; and $250 for four or more years. The proposed plan would include part-time employees. Those who have worked at least a year would get $100; two years, $200; three years, $300; and four or more years, $500.